Trolley roller



April 1937- A. w. LEMMON 2,076,239

TROLLEY ROLLER Filed Sept. 12, 1954 VEN TO F? A/ex/s W Lem/77o 0 ATT'Y Patented Apr. 6, 1937 PATENT OFFICE TROLLEY ROLLER Alexis W. Lemmon, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ohio Application September 12, 1934, Serial No. 743,737

9 Claims.

This invention relates to trolley conveyors and particularly to a roller assembly for a trolley conveyor.

An object of the invention is to provide a nonfriction bearing type of trolley roller assembly in which the bearing surfaces are protected from harmful elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trolley roller assembly which has a minimum number of parts which parts are easilyassembled and disassembled without mutilating any of the parts, and which provide a rigid unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved trolley roller assembly which pro- 15 vides for easy adjustment to compensate for any wear of a bearing surface thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trolley roller assembly in which the bearing surfaces are effectively protected by being encased and are all case hardened to prolong the, life thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a ball bearing trolley roller assembly in which the inner bearing race is a two piece memher and which is so formed as to provide a two point contact with any ball bearing thereof.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a view of the trolley roller assembly along the axis of rotation thereof, with some parts shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, with some 0 details omitted, showing a trolley roller assembly provided with a retaining felt washer;

Fig. 3 shows the axle bolt of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of a trolley roller assembly including the hanger and runway, the latter being shown in section;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the assembly of Fig. 4;

- Fig. 6 is a modification of my invention, certain parts being shown in section; and

Fig. '7 is another modification of my invention, certain parts being shown in section.

The trolley roller assembly comprising my invention, as illustrated in Fig. 1, comprises the roller ill, provided with an integral recess closing cap Ii. Said roller i0 and its integral cap i i are preferably formed by drop forging, though they may be formed in other well known ways. The inner peripheral wall of the roller H! is properly grooved to provide the outer race comprising bearing surfaces i2. Said bearing surfaces are preferably substantially conical surfaces intersecting at an angle in a plane parallel to their axes, as illustrated, but said groove may be formed of other shapes, for example, it may be arcuate, as viewed on an axial section, and be formed on the arc of a circle slightly larger than the diameter of ball bearings l3. A race formed by intersecting conical surfaces has the advantage over one formed on an arc in that it provides two point contact between said outer race and said ball bearings, thus maintaining friction at a minimum. By making the outer race of intersecting conical surfaces, or of arcuate shape, as viewed on an axial section, the ball bearings not only carry the load in a vertical direction but properly align the roller i0 axially, thereby preventing contact between friction developing surfaces.

The inner race of said assembly upon which ball bearings l3 are adapted to ride consists of two parts comprising cones l4 and i5. The outer or head cone It may constitute the head of the axle bolt l6 and in the species of Fig. 1 it is formed integral therewith. This may be done, for example, by a drop forging process, though other well known methods may be employed. The inner or tail cone I5 comprises a sleeve adapted to fit over the shank of axle bolt l6 and abut against the bottom of head cone 114. As is seen from Fig. 1, head cone I4 is provided with the race-surface l1, and sleeve cone i5 is provided with race surface l8, said race surfaces Ill and I8 preferably comprising conical surfaces intersecting on a circle at the point of contact of the bottom of head cone l4 and the top of sleeve cone l5. Said bearing surfaces l1 and I8, as viewed on an axial section, form a substantially V-shaped or grooved inner race. Such an inner race bearing is preferred over surfaces other than conical. For example, it is preferred over a surface formed'to provide an arcuate groove, for conical surfaces provide a minimum of friction by virtue of the two point contact with each of the ball bearings l3. The ball bearings l3 being held between the race surfaces I2, and I8, properly align and maintain the roller [0 relative to the axle bolt l6 and prevent any appreciable axial movement of said roller Ill with respect to said axle bolt i6, which if allowed might cause undesirable friction between nonfriction surfaces of the assembly.

One important feature of my invention resides in the two piece construction of the inner race comprising the head cone l4 and sleeve cone l5, whereby any wearing of the bearing surfaces may be easily compensated for by grinding the top of the sleeve cone 55. By this simple expedient the entire assembly may be kept rigid at all times but, of course, allowing free rotation 5 of roller ID.

A retaining washer i9 is provided to fit over the axle bolt l6 and rest against the bottom of sleeve cone i5, the outer face thereof being in substantial alignment with the face 20 of roller I0, and the outer peripheral edge thereof being slightly spaced from the inner peripheral surface M of said roller it. For most purposes this retaining washer i9 is sufliciently effective to retain the lubricating fluid in the lubrication l5 chamber 22 of said assembly, and to prevent the entrance of foreign matter into said chamber.

The lubricating fluid, which may be a light grease, is supplied to the chamber 22 through the opening 23 in the axle bolt is. This opening terminates in an enlargement 23 comprising a well-known type of grease fitting. The lubricating fluid upon being applied under pressure at fitting 2 3 progresses through opening 23 passing out at the head it. It is there deflected 25 by wall it and moves back toward retaining washer is, completely filling the interstices between the ball bearings l3 and the bearing surfaces l2, ill and i8. This new lubricating fluid will clean the bearing surfaces and force old grease and dirt out through the small clearance between washer l9 and surface 2!, also forming a seal at the-clearance.

Axle bolt it passes through the hub 25 of hanger 25 and is rigidly fastened thereto by nut 2i and lock washer 28.

When nut 27 is drawn home, the sleeve l5 and retaining washer iii are rigidly clamped between the inner face of hub 25 and the inner end of head cone il, thereby providing a rigid assembly of these parts. Inner race surfaces ill and i8 and outer race surfaces l2 cooperate with ballbearings it to align and support properly roller wheel ill on axle bolt it.

To assemble the device, head i l of bolt it is first placed in chamber 22. The balls it are then placed in chamber 22, these balls being individual and not carried in any cage structure; such cage structure being eliminated by this assembly. 'Sleeve cone i5 is then placed over axle bolt i6 and moved into position. Retaining ring it is then placed over bolt it and moved to position, after which bolt i6 is inserted into hub 25 and locked rigid by nut 2i and lock washer 23. Disassembly of the device is accomplished by a reverse procedure.

All of the elements of my assembly which are subject to any wear are preferably case hardened. This comprises the roller ill, including the outer roller surface and the race surfaces i2; the axle bolt it, including the head i l and race surface ii; the sleeve cone i5 including the race surface it and the ball bearings l3.

Fig. 2 shows substantially the same structure as is shown in Fig. 1 except a felt packing serv- 5 ing as a retaining washer 3i] with a metal backing or gland 3i has been added to supplement the action of washer i9. Said backing or gland 3! is in frictional engagement with the roller it and rotates therewith. A slight clearance is provided between the inwardly extending flange thereof and the sleeve cone 85. Where the service is severe it may be desirable to employ said metal backed felt washer til in addition to retaining washer iii. 7 Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate one application of my ao'raaso trolley roller assembly. As here applied, two of said assemblies are oppositely disposed on a Y-shaped hanger 35, the rollers riding on the oppositely disposed faces of an I-beam type of runway 36. The hanger 35 is, of course, connected to a chain of the usual type through link 31. It is obvious, however, that my roller assembly may be applied to other well known types of hangers and other well known types of runways.

I have illustrated in Fig. 6 a modificationof my invention. This species is essentially the same in construction as that of Fig. 1 except for the elimination of retaining washer l9 and the substitution therefor of a retaining seal formed separately or integral with the inner race sleeve. Said combined inner race sleeve and retaining seal carries the conical race surface 83' and an integral circumferential ring flit. The periphery of said circumferential ring it extends into close relation with the inner peripheral surface 2! of the roller wheel i0 which surface is preferably cylindrical rather than conical, as it was in Fig. I. Said ring 2i is also preferably provided with one or more circumferential grooves ll which render more effective the sealing action of said ring 2!.

Fig. 7 illustrates another modification of my invention which differs from the species of Fig. l in several respects. closing cap it of Fig. 1, I have provided a removable closing cap H which may be a metal stamping with a peripheral flange 432 which is held by friction to the inner peripheral surface 53 of roller it). This removable cap provides for easier machining of the race surfaces i2 by making them more accessible during the machining operation.

The retaining ring structure of the species of Fig. 7 also differs from that of either Fig. 1 or 6. Said retaining ring structure comprises a cap member M somewhat similar to cap ll except that it is providedwith a circular opening 15 and is slightly spaced from a spacing washer 16. Said washer 56 is somewhat thicker than retaining washer it of Fig. 1 but is of smaller external diameter. The retaining ring 3 5 is carried by the roller 4 D in a manner similar to that by which cap ii is carried thereby. If desired, a felt washer may be placed back of ring il.

The axle bolt and inner race structure is also different in the species of Fig. 7 from that of Fig. 1 or 6. In this species two substantially similar inner race sleeve cones ll and G8 are provided. The head race cone ll slides over the shank of axle bolt it and at its outer end abuts the head 69 of said bolt iii. The tail race cone 6t slides overaxle bolt it in substantially the same manner that inner race sleeve i5 fits over axle bolt it in Fi 1. i

The two race cones ll and it and the spacing washer 66 are rigidly clamped between the head 59 of axle bolt it and hub 25 as shown in Fig. 7. The two race cones 417i and (it? being similar, adjustment for wear is provided by the grinding of the adjacent surfaces of either or both of them. Furthermore, the removability ofeach of these cones provides for the renewal of the inner race surfaces without requiring a new axle bolt. Said axle bolt it is provided with the usual lubrication openings, as 23' and 24 The roller ill and race cones W and 38 are preferably case hardened in each of the species shown, at the outer rolling surfaces and at the race surfaces i2, i2.

It is to be understood that the specific axle Instead of the integral.

bolt and inner race cones of Fig. '7 are not limited to this specific species of my invention, but may I be employed with the roller with an integral cap as illustrated at II in Fig. 1. It is also to be understood that the rollers III of Figs. 1, 2 and 6 need not have the integral cap I l but may be provided with a removable cap like ll of Fig. 7, and/or a removable closure like 44 thereof.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and I therefore wish not to'be restricted to the precise construction herein dis closed. I

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a trolley roller assembly, the combination with a trolley roller having an axial recess opening at one side thereof and forming an outer race, of an inner race comprising a pair of separable cones, non-friction bearing means carried between said inner and outer races, and means for substantially closing said recess opening comprising a ring integral with one of said separable cones.

2. In a trolley roller assembly, the combination with a roller having an axial recess open at one side thereof which recess is closed by an integral wall at the other side, of an inner race comprising a pair of separable cones, non-friction bearing means carried between said inner race and said roller, and means for substantially closing said recess opening comprising a ring integral with one of said separable cones.

3. In a trolley roller assembly, the combination with a trolley roller having an axial recess opening at one side thereof and forming an outer race, of an inner race comprising a pair of separable cones, non-friction bearing means carried between said inner and said outer races, and means for substantially closing said recess opening com prising a ring formed rigid with one of said cones, said ring being provided at its peripheral surface with one or more peripheral grooves.

4. In a trolley roller assembly, the combination with a trolley wheel having an axial recess forming an inner peripheral grooved bearing surface providing an outer race, of an axle for said roller extending into said recess, a pair of cones on said axle, at least one of which is removable, said cones forming an inner race, non-friction bearing means between said inner and outer races, a bracket for supporting said axle, means for clamping said axle to said bracket, and a washer clamped between said cones and said bracket, the periphery of said washer being positioned adjacent said roller to forma lubrication seal.

5. In a trolley roller assembly, the combination with a trolley wheel having an axial recess forming an inner peripheral grooved bearing surface providing an outer race, of an axle for said roller extending into said recess and having a head forming an inner race, non-friction bearing means between said inner and outer races, a bracket for supporting said axle, means for clamping said axle to said bracket, and a washer clamped between said head and said bracket, a metal backed felt packing gland carried by said roller in the recess thereof adjacent said washer, said washer cooperating with said packing gland to form a lubrication seal.

6. An inner race assembly for a trolley roller comprising a pair of adjacent separable cones having cooperating bearing surfaces forming an inner race, and a grease seal ring formed integral withone of said cones.

7. In a trolley roller assembly, the combination with a trolley roller having an axial recess opening at one side thereof and closed by a wall at the other side thereof, said roller providing a one piece outer bearing race, of a shaft extending into said opening, an inner race carried on said shaft comprising separable cones, non-friction bearing means carried between said inner and outer races, a hanger through which said shaft extends, an annular washer positioned between said cones and said hanger, and means for closing the open side of said recess comprising an apertured ring carried by said roller having a central opening the edges of which are near said annular washer.

8. In a trolley roller assembly, the combination with a trolley wheel having an axial recess opening at one side and closed by a wall at the other side, said roller providing a one piece outer bearing race, of a shaft extending into said opening, an inner race carried on said shaft comprising separable cones, non-friction bearing means between said inner and outer races. a

hanger through which said shaft extends, means for clamping said shaft on said hanger, and means for effecting a grease seal at the open side of said roller recess comprising a plurality of spaced stationary rings carried by said shaft and having their outer edges near the periphery of said recess, and extending thereinto.

9. In a trolley roller assembly, the combination with a trolley roller having an axial recess opening at one side thereof, said roller providing a one piece outer bearing race, of a shaft extending into said opening, an inner race carried on said shaft comprising separable cones, nonfriction bearing means carried between said inner and outer races, a hanger through which said shaft extends, an annular washer positioned between said cones and said hanger, and an apertured ring carried by said roller having an opening through which said shaft extends and overlapping said washer, and means forming a grease seal for said axial recess opening including said annular-washer and said ring.

ALEXIS W. LEMIVION. 

